The University of the Arctic Uarctic

Overview

The University of the Arctic (UArctic) is an international cooperative network of universities, colleges, research institutes, Indigenous organizations and other entities dedicated to higher education, research and knowledge exchange in and about the North. Established in 2001 with the endorsement of the Arctic Council, UArctic is officially registered as a non‑profit association in Finland and has its International Secretariat based in Rovaniemi. It supports circumpolar collaboration through shared curricula, mobility and thematic research platforms.

1) Historical and Legal Framework

The idea of UArctic emerged in the late 1990s following a feasibility study commissioned by the Arctic Council and the Circumpolar Universities Association. It was formally launched on June 12, 2001, to coincide with the tenth anniversary of the Rovaniemi Process and Arctic Environmental Protection Strategy. The initiative was established to address the lack of coordination among northern higher education institutions and to promote Arctic sustainability through education and research. Over the years UArctic evolved into a legally recognized association under Finnish law, guided by a constitution and strategic plans such as UArctic 2030.

2) Mission, Vision and Objectives – Role in Higher Education

UArctic’s mission is to empower the people of the Circumpolar North by providing unique educational and research opportunities through collaboration within a powerful network. Its vision is to build capacity in northern communities by offering regionally relevant higher education and research access. Key objectives in the higher education context include:

• Delivering transnational programmes such as the Circumpolar Studies online curriculum, recognized by member institutions.
• Facilitating mobility of students, faculty and staff through the north2north exchange network.
• Creating Thematic Networks and Institutes to coordinate research and multidisciplinary course development on Arctic-related topics.
• Endorsing academic programmes that reflect UArctic’s core values—circumpolar relevance, inclusivity and reciprocity—while supporting formal QA systems at host institutions.

3) Governance, Structure and Independence

UArctic is governed by an annual Assembly, where each member institution may appoint representatives. The Assembly elects an independent Board of Directors—including a student member—which sets strategy, budget, staffing and oversight priorities. A President and Vice‑Presidents lead the operational execution, supported by the International Secretariat housed at the University of Lapland in Finland. UArctic operates with administrative autonomy, though legally registered in Finland and implements decisions through a light, distributed administration with activities hosted at member campuses across the circumpolar region.

4) Accreditation and Quality Evaluation – Role in Higher Education

UArctic does not function as an accreditation agency and does not issue degrees. Instead, it offers an optional Academic Endorsement for programmes that uphold its mission and values. This endorsement supplements—but does not replace—formal quality assurance conducted by national academic senates and accreditation bodies. Through this, UArctic provides recognition that a course or programme aligns with circumpolar educational principles, without granting formal institutional authority.

5) International Cooperation and Network Memberships

UArctic is integrated into global Arctic and higher education frameworks. It actively collaborates with the Arctic Council, UNESCO, international polar research organizations and Indigenous Permanent Participants. The network extends beyond the eight Arctic states—currently counting nearly 200 member institutions worldwide—according to uniRank. UArctic also engages with European and North American quality assurance agencies, targetting best practices in cross-border education, mobility and sustainability research collaborations.

6) Current or Future Impact on Higher Education

UArctic continues to influence Arctic and northern higher education through several key initiatives:

• Expanding mobility: The north2north programme now covers over 70 institutions and enables student exchanges spanning up to a year.
• Growth of thematic collaboration: Over 60 Thematic Networks coordinate research and education across disciplines, from Indigenous knowledge to climate adaptation.
• Digital initiatives: Development of online study catalogues, field schools and hybrid learning pathways focused on Arctic sustainability.
• Scholarships and grants: Funds such as the Frederik Paulsen Arctic Academic Action Award and Entrepreneurship Fund support projects addressing Arctic challenges.
• Strategic capacity-building: External evaluations and strategic planning ensure UArctic aligns with Sustainable Development Goals and rising Arctic global priorities.

7) Summary

UArctic (University of the Arctic) is a unique circumpolar higher education network that does not grant degrees but acts as a convening platform for nearly 200 institutions committed to northern education and research. It facilitates student and faculty mobility, supports collaborative programme development and provides thematic coordination across disciplines. Though based in Finland, it operates as a globally oriented, independent association contributing to sustainable development, Indigenous engagement and enhanced capacity in northern communities.

8) FAQs

• What is the University of the Arctic?
  It is a cooperative network of higher education and research institutions dedicated to improving access, quality and relevance of education and research in and about the Arctic region.
• Is UArctic a university?
  No. UArctic does not award degrees; it supports collaboration among member institutions that award qualifications themselves.
• How many members does it have?
  According to uniRank, it includes nearly 200 member organizations from Arctic and non‑Arctic countries, most of which are either higher education institutions or research entities.
• What is the north2north mobility programme?
  A cross-border exchange programme for students, staff and faculty that allows periods of study or work at other member institutions, typically 1 week to 1 year in duration.
• Does UArctic accredit universities or programmes?
  It does not accredit; it offers an Academic Endorsement to programmes that align with UArctic’s values, while formal accreditation is the responsibility of national or institutional quality assurance bodies.
• Where is UArctic headquartered?
  Its International Secretariat is based in Rovaniemi, Finland, hosted by the University of Lapland.
• How is UArctic governed?
  UArctic is governed by an Assembly of member representatives, with decisions carried out by an elected Board, a President and a Secretariat.

Organization Name

The University of the Arctic

Acronym

Uarctic

Year of Establishment

1/01/2001

Control Type

Private

Entity Type

Non-Profit

Geo Focus and Coverage

International

Recognized by

n.a.

Affiliations or Memberships

n.a.

Number of Member Universities or Accredited Institutions

143

Address

UArctic International Secretariat, University of Lapland
Rovaniemi
96101 Lapland Finland

Phone

+358 16 341 341

Fax

+358 16 362 941

n.a.

Official Social Media Channels

Facebook

The University of the Arctic's Facebook page

X (Twitter)

The University of the Arctic's X page

LinkedIn

The University of the Arctic's LinkedIn profile

YouTube

Not available

Instagram

The University of the Arctic's Instagram page

Wikipedia Article

The University of the Arctic's Wikipedia article

Unlock your University's potential: spotlight your Institution on UniRank for leads, local recognition and branding. Enquiry now to feature your University here.

Explore other Finnish higher education-related organizations and authorities.

Find top-ranked Universities in Finland.

Search for courses and scholarships with the uniRank World Universities Search Engine.